Root Canals - Bright Valley Dental

Root Canals

Root canals offer a reliable solution to alleviate pain and save your natural tooth. A root canal is a restorative dentistry procedure designed to restore your oral health and bring relief.

What Are Root Canals Used For?

Root canals, also known as endodontic therapy, are used to prevent tooth loss when the innermost part of a tooth (the “pulp”), is infected. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, trauma, or a cracked tooth, a root canal is performed to remove the damaged tissue and preserve the tooth.

What are Some Signs That a Root Canal Might Be Needed?

What Can I Expect During My Procedure?

The root canal procedure involves the following steps:

Diagnosis: Our restorative dentist in Elgin conducts a thorough examination, including X-rays, to identify the source of pain and determine if a root canal is necessary.
Local Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
Pulp Removal: The infected or inflamed pulp is carefully removed from the tooth's interior.
Cleaning and Sealing: The empty root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and sealed to prevent further infection.
Restoration: A crown or filling is placed on the treated tooth to restore its strength and functionality.

What can I do to make my treatment as successful as possible?

Proper oral hygiene is crucial after a root canal, as teeth are especially susceptible to infection during this time. You should continue to brush twice daily—fluoride toothpaste is best to protect the affected tooth–and floss once daily. Take care to be gentle while brushing and flossing around the procedural area.

Benefits of Root Canals

Root canals bring pain relief by eliminating the infection that caused the pain to begin with. Root canals preserve the natural tooth by removing the infected pulp and sealing the rest of the tooth instead of replacing it. Finally, root canals prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth, gums, and jawbone.

Alternatives to Root Canals

While root canals are often the preferred option for saving a tooth with damaged pulp, alternatives include tooth extraction followed by dental implants, bridges, or dentures. However, preserving your natural tooth through a root canal is a conservative and valuable choice for maintaining optimal oral health.

Why Choose Us?

Our commitment to your oral health includes:

A Thorough First Appointment : the first appointment is with the doctor so he can really take the time to get to know you. He starts by reviewing your overall medical and dental history with you, assesses the X-rays that were taken, and discusses a treatment plan specific just for you. In many cases the doctor also does your cleaning, giving you more time to get to know each other better.
Experienced Dentist and staff: Our skilled and compassionate dental team is dedicated to providing top-notch care.
State-of-the-Art Technology: We utilize advanced technology for accurate diagnostics and effective treatments.
Patient-Centered Approach: Your comfort and well-being are our priorities.

Don’t let tooth pain compromise your well-being. If you’re experiencing discomfort, contact our Elgin restorative dentistry team for a comprehensive examination.